The Basics: Wet/Dry Vacuums

For super-sized messes, you need a super powerful vacuum designed to tackle the tough stuff. A wet/dry vac can make cleaning up your drilling, sanding and sawing messes easier than ever before. And the right wet/dry vac can effectively suck up everything from DIY debris ranging from chunks of plaster to microscopic drywall dust, as well as spilt milk, leaky dishwashers, laundry room puddles and other household mishaps.

These electric tools are simple to operate and come in sizes and shapes to fit a variety of needs. You can find anything from small handheld cordless units to hefty commercial models outfitted with large capacity tanks ranging in size from 10 to 18 gallons or more. And because they are simple in design and operation, wet/dry vacs are relatively inexpensive. You can buy one for less than the cost of a standard household vacuum -- just don't expect a lot of fancy features.

Shop-Vac may have been the name brand that brought wet/dry vac familiarity to households across the country more than 40 years ago. But the wet/dry vac phenomena has exploded in the marketplace with brands that fit every budget and every need. Some of the best selling brands include Shop-Vac, Craftsman, DeWalt, Ridgid, Porter-Cable, Festool, Milwaukee and Bosch. Some models tackle the tough stuff better than others. And some do double duty as blowers, while others steam clean carpets and rugs to perfection.

Warranties on wet/dry vacs vary from model to model. Some units have a simple 1-year limited warranty, while others offer a lifetime warranty with fine print. Typically you want a unit with the longest warranty on the motor, which is the most expensive and complicated part of the wet/dry vac.

Prices for wet/dry vacs run the spectrum, from just under $40 to $400 or more. A smaller and less expensive model ranging from $50 to $100 may be all you need for occasional cleanups and light duty messes. Many of the more durable and more frequent use models sell from $200 to $400, with high end units ranging from $500 on up.

How to Shop

Wet/dry vacuums are year-round tools that you'll find in stores just about any time of year. Look for wet/dry vacs at hardware stores and building material retailers, including Home Depot, Lowe's, Sears, Tru-Value, Ace Hardware and others. You can also shop online at Amazon.com and other sites. Whether you're an apartment dweller, homeowner, occasional crafter or avid DIYer, today's wet/dry vacs are a handy tool to have around and can tackle most any mess with finesse.

Five Key Questions to Ask Before You Shop for a Wet/dry Vacuum

How often will I use my wet/dry vac? Frequency of use is one of the most important factors to consider when making your selection. If your main use is to vacuum the floors in your car or for occasional cleaning of household cobwebs and spiders, then a less expensive, portably petite model might fit your needs better than a heavy-duty large capacity monster. But for liquid mishaps, workshop messes and frequent DIY cleanup, larger capacity tanks and motors on more expensive models last longer and are better suited to more intense and frequent use.

What do I want to clean up? Wet/dry vacuums come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from small handheld and wall-mounted units to machines that need 8-inch rear wheels in order to be moved around. Most wet/dry vacs include two rigid extension wands and one or more nozzles. The wands simply let you vacuum things farther away. The nozzles have specially shaped tips that can pick up larger objects (debris) or focus the vacuum power to pick up smaller things (dust) faster. Most wet/dry vacs come with two nozzles, while some models offer three or four nozzles. You'll want a small upholstery brush if you use your vac to clean out your car's interior or to vacuum dust off household curtains or lampshades. However a single utility nozzle will suffice if you're simply cleaning up a work area. On some models, you may need to modify the vac each time you switch between vacuuming wet and dry materials, and some models are easier to switch than others.

Where do I want to clean up? Vacuuming up around the shop may not require a long hose or power cord. But you'll need a hose with a longer reach when cleaning up high or in out-of-the way corners. Hoses range from 6 to 18 feet, with a 7-foot hose being the most popular size. Opt for a longer power cord on corded models if your shop or deck doesn't have a lot of electrical outlets. Power cords typically range from 10 feet (most common) to 25 feet. Of course, you can always use an extension cord if needed.

How much power and tank capacity do I need? While nearly all wet/dry vacs are rated in horsepower or peak horsepower (PHP), what you really want to know is the motor's amperage. Wet/dry vacs use electric motors (measured in amps) rather than fuel engines (measured in horsepower). Higher amperage results in more sucking power.

Tank capacity ranges from cordless and portable 1-gallon units to 18-gallon models. However, actual debris capacity is usually less than the stated volume capacity by about 20 percent. So a 10-gallon tank may hold only 8 gallons of debris before filling the hose. The smallest units are ideal for apartment dwellers or for occasional use or spills. Opt for the 2 to 6 gallon range for light-duty tasks. The 8 to 14 gallon range is ideal for medium-duty chores around the household, workshop, garden and garage, and can easily handle large spills or to empty an aquarium. Units having a 14 to 18 gallon capacity are best for heavy-duty use and commercial applications.

What features do I need? Storage and maneuverability aren't so much an issue for handheld units, but bigger units will get used more often when they are easy to move and easy to store. Wet/dry vacs vary in height and size. Some are no bigger than a tool box, while others stand as tall as an upright vacuum cleaner. As such, some fit underneath a workbench better than others. Models with wide-set wheels and a low profile will also be less likely to tip over. Look for a model that converts into a blower if you want to blow leaves and debris from your patio or deck. Longer hoses extend your reach without having to move the wet/dry vac around. A wider diameter hose -- from 2.0 to 2.5 inches -- is better equipped to vacuum larger debris such as wood chips and shavings. Also consider the filter type -- pleated cartridge filters are less prone to dust leaks than the paper and foam types. Even better is a HEPA filter, which traps more than 99 percent of dust mites, pollen and other allergens. And a tool-triggered wet/dry vac may be just the ticket for avid DIYer's. These specially outfitted vacs include an electrical outlet so you can plug a power tool and connect the dust port to the wet/dry vac hose. That way the debris from the tool goes right to the tank.